Official Speculation Thread (Pt.XL Off-Season Edition)

[cb1115]

From that Ric Bucher article:

Cavaliers GM Chris Grant was in Las Vegas watching summer-league action but made an unplanned return to Cleveland, sources say, and is not expected to return. In the frenzy of anticipating if, when and where Howard might be dealt, such otherwise innocuous events have been enough to inspire massive speculation that a deal is near.

Dafuq.

Breaking: Chris Grant returns to Cleveland to do cb1115's avatar dance in response to recent trade rumors.

Excellent.

[arsenal6106]

I'm anxiously waiting for Aldridge to come in to put down this cavs rumor.

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[MrOrlando]

How do Houston fans believe they'll still retain the best of their rookies and still end up with Dwight or Bynum? For example, retaining Lamb, Parsons and White. I can't possibly see any other scenario where one or two of those players don't end up in Orlando.

[Rick Rolled]

Given Raggedy Andy's track record, I'm not going to get too worked up over this rumor.

[ThatFloridaDude]

But it is unclear if the Magic would trade Howard for Andrew Bynum without an assurance from him.

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/22 ... z20zm5ghly

Posters on here say Hennigan doesn't want Bynum period. Seems by this article (and others) that we would be ok with Bynum if he signs an extension. Which is it?

[rcklsscognition]

But it is unclear if the Magic would trade Howard for Andrew Bynum without an assurance from him.

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/22 ... z20zm5ghly

Posters on here say Hennigan doesn't want Bynum period. Seems by this article (and others) that we would be ok with Bynum if he signs an extension. Which is it?

People are saying Hennigan doesn't want Bynum based off of the idea that Hennigan wants players that are all about the team. You know the speech he always gives about human beings and stuff? So they assume he wouldn't want Bynum. There is no evidence either way on this, just opinion.

[ThatFloridaDude]

But it is unclear if the Magic would trade Howard for Andrew Bynum without an assurance from him.

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/22 ... z20zm5ghly

Posters on here say Hennigan doesn't want Bynum period. Seems by this article (and others) that we would be ok with Bynum if he signs an extension. Which is it?

People are saying Hennigan doesn't want Bynum based off of the idea that Hennigan wants players that are all about the team. You know the speech he always gives about human beings and stuff? So they assume he wouldn't want Bynum. There is no evidence either way on this, just opinion.

Ahh thanks. I had a hunch towards official speculation cause I had not heard Hennigan say such.
I wonder what changed the Lakers mind to want to trade D12 without assurance? That sure happened swiftly.

[T25]

This seems to be a trend Henny uses forcing other teams to anti-up. My guess Houston is either one not trying to take back one of our bad contracts or two not trying to give us one of their talents we are coveting.

There's no way we accept Cleveland/LA deal unless Houston deal is dead...

[rcklsscognition]

The Nets being out of the running + Houston rumors probably led to Howard's change of mind. We all knew it was coming. He is in LA, he's got ways to let the Lakers brass know his intentions without ever going public with it or meeting them. I'm sure they know he'll resign and wants to keep it secret so it doesn't look like he's blatantly following Shaq's footsteps.

[Ahmadab]

Irving/Bynum would be sweeeeeet tho.

[Skin]

I want Houston's prospects more than anything else, but this Cavs/LAL rumor might not be that bad.

Even with Bynum, the Cavs would still lose a lot of games. Varejao is a crappy player, but that fits right into Henny's strategy if you consider the fact that he wants to lose games in order to get high picks. Varejao has 2 seasons to play before his team can use their Team Option and let him go. We're not winning a Championship in 2 seasons from now folks, so come back from the ledge if you think we're trying to build a winner WITH Varejao. This is about a concentrated rebuild and fielding a team of crappy players.

This is all starting to make sense now. Jameer is the perfect PG to have if you want to lose. We let Anderson walk away for free. We brought back Redick for another year because he gives us one of the weaker starting SGs in the East, and Henny can disguise his desire to lose by bringing him back on the reason that he is one of the better "team leaders" we have on the team. Hedo hasn't been involved in trade talks because... again... he sucks and will help us lose. His contract is not bad since he's expiring next season. I'm betting that Nicholson will start the season as our starting PF because he needs to be groomed and developed right away. Baby or Vareflop will start for us at Center, and that's not a half bad idea for any team wanting to tank the season away.

High picks is where it's at! Go Henny, Go!

[rcklsscognition]

I'm not seeing any news of Houston waiving someone to make room for Asik. A few people, no one important or reliable necessarily, are thinking Rockets may renege on the deal or find a way to ensure Chicago matches, as in, offering Asik a contract without the poison pill 3rd year, something Chicago can afford.

Update:

Mark Berman @MarkBermanFox26

Per NBA source: Rockets signing of Bulls RFA Center Omer Asik to an offer sheet will be delayed a bit while the Rockets waive two players.

Now it's two players?

[magic111]

I want Houston's prospects more than anything else, but this Cavs/LAL rumor might not be that bad.

Even with Bynum, the Cavs would still lose a lot of games. Varejao is a crappy player, but that fits right into Henny's strategy if you consider the fact that he wants to lose games in order to get high picks. Varejao has 2 seasons to play before his team can use their Team Option and let him go. We're not winning a Championship in 2 seasons from now folks, so come back from the ledge if you think we're trying to build a winner WITH Varejao. This is about a concentrated rebuild and fielding a team of crappy players.

This is all starting to make sense now. Jameer is the perfect PG to have if you want to lose. We let Anderson walk away for free. We brought back Redick for another year because he gives us one of the weaker starting SGs in the East, and Henny can disguise his desire to lose by bringing him back on the reason that he is one of the better "team leaders" we have on the team. Hedo hasn't been involved in trade talks because... again... he sucks and will help us lose. His contract is not bad since he's expiring next season. I'm betting that Nicholson will start the season as our starting PF because he needs to be groomed and developed right away. Baby or Vareflop will start for us at Center, and that's not a half bad idea for any team wanting to tank the season away.

High picks is where it's at! Go Henny, Go!

This is what pisses me off about you guys..do you even now what the hell comes out of you mouth. Anderson is ok player...and the Cavs picks are HORRIBLE. They own the HEATS and Lakers 1st round picks and bunch of 2nds what the HELL are you going to do with that. Please think before you write.Thanks. This trade would be HORRIBLE

[Chet Wagner]

I actually used to kinda like Bucher, but he's been dreadful this offseason.

We've all heard about how no one likes negotiating with Cavs and a ton of reports afterwords said the rumored Cavs/Lakers 3 way earlier in the week never really had any wings and was way overblown. The Cavs pulled out of the Nets trade, they pulled out of the Lakers trade, why wouldn't they pull out again?

Yet they still report it and put it as a top story. I would really like to hope that Henny isn't the one doing ALL of this leaking. I see no reason for the Lakers to do it and I'm just sick of it at this point. Get in the room, close the doors and negotiate. Get this deal done.

[UCFJayBird]

I'm not seeing any news of Houston waiving someone to make room for Asik. A few people, no one important or reliable necessarily, are thinking Rockets may renege on the deal or find a way to ensure Chicago matches, as in, offering Asik a contract without the poison pill 3rd year, something Chicago can afford.

Update:

Mark Berman @MarkBermanFox26

Per NBA source: Rockets signing of Bulls RFA Center Omer Asik to an offer sheet will be delayed a bit while the Rockets waive two players.

Now it's two players?

Why is this the first time we're hearing about this? And do they need to waive two players? They haven't signed their rookies, so couldn't they sign Asik and deal with waiving later? No clue in regards to CBA rules and this area though.

[rcklsscognition]

David Aldridge ‏@daldridgetnt

RT @wosnel Houston has assets to get Dwight Howard. What's holding up a deal?>>Takes two to tango. Magic will make deal on their timetable.

More signs pointing to us holding this ish up. My hunch is it's Devos, he's holding this up.

[Optimus_Steel]

People its a Rich Bucher rumor lmao. Thats all you need to know.

[Skin]

I want Houston's prospects more than anything else, but this Cavs/LAL rumor might not be that bad.

Even with Bynum, the Cavs would still lose a lot of games. Varejao is a crappy player, but that fits right into Henny's strategy if you consider the fact that he wants to lose games in order to get high picks. Varejao has 2 seasons to play before his team can use their Team Option and let him go. We're not winning a Championship in 2 seasons from now folks, so come back from the ledge if you think we're trying to build a winner WITH Varejao. This is about a concentrated rebuild and fielding a team of crappy players.

This is all starting to make sense now. Jameer is the perfect PG to have if you want to lose. We let Anderson walk away for free. We brought back Redick for another year because he gives us one of the weaker starting SGs in the East, and Henny can disguise his desire to lose by bringing him back on the reason that he is one of the better "team leaders" we have on the team. Hedo hasn't been involved in trade talks because... again... he sucks and will help us lose. His contract is not bad since he's expiring next season. I'm betting that Nicholson will start the season as our starting PF because he needs to be groomed and developed right away. Baby or Vareflop will start for us at Center, and that's not a half bad idea for any team wanting to tank the season away.

High picks is where it's at! Go Henny, Go!

This is what pisses me off about you guys..do you even now what the hell comes out of you mouth. Anderson is ok player...and the Cavs picks are HORRIBLE. They own the HEATS and Lakers 1st round picks and bunch of 2nds what the HELL are you going to do with that. Please think before you write.Thanks. This trade would be HORRIBLE

Oh well, didn't know that about the Cavs picks. Thought I remembered something about them not having their own, but I can't remember the reason. Still, Vareflop sucks badly. But without high picks, yeah, this trade stinks a lot.

[MitchellUK]

David Aldridge ‏@daldridgetnt

RT @wosnel Houston has assets to get Dwight Howard. What's holding up a deal?>>Takes two to tango. Magic will make deal on their timetable.

More signs pointing to us holding this ish up. My hunch is it's Devos, he's holding this up.

Don't bet on it. I'm not saying that he doesn't still prefer to keep Dwight, but at the same time, we have to remember that our GM wasn't part of last season in Orlando, and only has 3 weeks under his belt in the role. Had he made a deal by now, it probably would have been rushed. As I said in a previous thread, trading Dwight almost certainly signals a complete rebuild - I'd rather Henny take his time and get this right and leave us building on solid foundations than take a deal just to get it over with quickly and make a mistake.

[OOO]

Gery Woelfel ‏@GeryWoelfel

Chatter continues Andrew Bynum will wind up being dealt to Cavs in multi-team, multi-player trade.